What I'm Reading Monday #16

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week (links go to my review):

• Vanished by Joseph Finder
• Weightless by Sarah Bannan
• The Pleasure Palace (Secrets of the Tudor Court #1) by Kate Emerson
  

Reading Now: 

• Knitters on Yarn: Writers on Knitting by Ann Hood
• What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler
• The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory (audiobook, audible)

Next: 

• Not sure yet :)

Summary -

It's been hot here and that leads to me coming home in the afternoon, throwing some laundry in and curling up in a book until it's time to fix supper and the husband and I watch tv.  After that I read until I go to sleep. Some afternoons will find me in the hammock reading, but most have been inside lately.  My reading mojo has come back and that feels good. I loved finding my way back to Joseph Finder's great suspense reading Vanished.  I have immediately requested another one of his books from the library. I also have a great fascination with the Tudors.  We have been making our way through the Showtime series and it has re-awakened my fascination with this time period.  So I have several books coming from the library on this period and group of kings/queens.  I can't wait.  Probably by the time this publishes we will be almost done with the series. 

So how was your week?  What were your temps like where you were?  Any great books to share from the past week or ones you are looking forward to?

Currently Listening: The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory

The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory

Obtained From: Audible

Why I chose this one: I am currently obsessed with the Tudor ruling of England. We are watching the Tudors and I must admit this is the most fascinated I have been by historical fiction in awhile.

Date Started: 6/25/2015

About The Constant Princess:
"I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England."

Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Known to history as the Queen who was pushed off her throne by Anne Boleyn, here is a Katherine the world has forgotten: the enchanting princess that all England loved. First married to Henry VIII's older brother, Arthur, Katherine's passion turns their arranged marriage into a love match; but when Arthur dies, the merciless English court and her ambitious parents -- the crusading King and Queen of Spain -- have to find a new role for the widow. Ultimately, it is Katherine herself who takes control of her own life by telling the most audacious lie in English history, leading her to the very pinnacle of power in England.

Set in the rich beauty of Moorish Spain and the glamour of the Tudor court, The Constant Princess presents a woman whose constancy helps her endure betrayal, poverty, and despair, until the inevitable moment when she steps into the role she has prepared for all her life: Henry VIII's Queen, Regent, and commander of the English army in their greatest victory against Scotland.

Thoughts So Far
I am loving this book.  The narrator is wonderful and the story has captured my interest right away.  I love Catalina and how sure of herself she is.  I love her romance with Arthur so far and look forward to more intrigue and seeing how this all plays out.

If you haven't watched The Tudors (it's on Netflix streaming), it starts with Henry losing interest in Catherine and the battle to make Anne Boleyn legitimate as his wife.  So it''s interesting to find out more about Catherine's history and what has led up to the start of The Tudor tv show.  I look forward to reading/listening to the whole series (The Tudor Court) by Phillipa Gregory, and if the rest start like this one I know I will be enthralled.

Currently reading: Weightless by Sarah Bannan

Weightless by Sarah Bannan

Obtained From: publisher (St. Martin's Griffin)

Why I chose this one: I received it earlier this week. I'm not sure I requested it. However after I read the blurb I knew I had to read it soon!

Date Started: 6/24/15 (I read over 200 pages the first night!)


About Weightless:

When 15-year-old Carolyn moves from New Jersey to Alabama with her mother, she rattles the status quo of the junior class at Adams High School. A good student and natural athlete, she’s immediately welcomed by the school’s cliques. She’s even nominated to the homecoming court and begins dating a senior, Shane, whose on again/off again girlfriend Brooke becomes Carolyn’s bitter romantic rival. When a video of Carolyn and Shane making out is sent to everyone, Carolyn goes from golden girl to slut, as Brooke and her best friend Gemma try to restore their popularity. Gossip and bullying hound Carolyn, who becomes increasingly private and isolated. When Shane and Brooke—now back together—confront Carolyn in the student parking lot, injuring her, it’s the last attack she can take.

Sarah Bannan's deft use of the first person plural gives Weightless an emotional intensity and remarkable power that will send you flying through the pages and leave you reeling.

My thoughts so far:
At first I wasn't sure about the author's narrative. The story is written from the point-of-view of a group of girls and how they saw things. In the beginning it took some getting use to, but once I started reading I really got into it and really like it from this point-of-view.  I'm still not sure who all the "we" includes, but it doesn't really matter. It's interesting getting a feel for the group and what they see and perceive.

It's a fast read, I read close to 2/3 of the book just the first night and look forward to finishing this afternoon. It's just one of those books that you want to pick up and keep reading because you have to know what happens next.

Have you read this book?  

It officially comes out Tuesday June 30th.